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"In your opinion what is the most important thing Aboriginal people could learn from our Western society?"

On this page you can read the answers our visitors gave to this question as part of our yearly visitor surveys, where you can win great prizes.
(we post comments only if permission was given)

Over the years we have asked our visitors many different questions and any of the below topics contain hundreds of comments from people all over the world. Enjoy reading what other people have to say on those subjects:-). If you have any question you would like us to ask our visitors, please let us know.

In your opinion what is the most important thing Aboriginal people could learn from our Western society?

Anonymous from USA

Not sure. Westerns are always trying to invent new things but have developed a fast past life that overlooks the little things.

Adam Perrett from Australia

That we are sorry for what we did and have done to their culture and the most important step in rectifying our faults is to change peoples attitude towards our indigenous.

Al Hepworth from Finland

How not live in a material society and be watchful of the break down in moral society

Anonymous

Marketing skills

Alan from United Kingdom

Not to fall into the trap and become western society keep their individuality as a nation

Alexander from USA

Materialism can destroy people.

Allan Klausen from Denmark

Health programs

Anonymous from USA

The latest in technology

Andrew from USA

I can't presume to know what would be knowledge to them - but I would say the destructiveness of Western society is evidence that the dominant society is not the healthiest. Stay small stay local.

Anonymous

Marketing. If they could market their way of life "Sell" others on their way of doing things it would improve both of our cultures.

Audrey Wong from USA

How to form political organizations to protect themselves.

Barney from USA

Be weary of Greeks bearing gifts.

Barry Williams from USA

Making Money

Anonymous from Netherlands

Good question...

Anonymous from USA

How to budge money

Bernard from USA

Pride in ownership

Bill Lockett from USA

Commerce

Bill White from USA

That we are the perfect example of impermanence and we must constantly adapt to survive.

Brenda Rodriguez from USA

How not to place capitalism and industrialization over spirituality

Brian from Canada

Better ways to treat illness.

Brian Pflanz from USA

Modern medicine?

Brooke from Australia

Formal education.

Anonymous from USA

How to apply within reason the benefits of Western society's health education and technological advances.

Anonymous

Conservation techniques

Byron from USA

We want to do the right thing but don't always know how.

Cam Maclean from Canada

Evolution of culture and adaptation to change

Cameron from USA

Medicine and other things to improve quality of life.

Anonymous from Canada

Kindness to one another

Anonymous from USA

Probably something in the way of educational opportunities

Carol from USA

Aboriginal people have gotten along just fine before Western society made a huge footprint on their land. What they can learn is to not become greedy aggressive and materialistic like Western society.

Anonymous from USA

They can learn all they want to learn that is offered or avalible.

Charles Yount from USA

Nothing

Cheryl from Australia

To value Western education it is important that all koories receive a full education so that they can fight for their rights and take equal place on all levels of society

Anonymous

Value of education for the children

Anonymous from USA

The same as above. Art music religion and cooking.

Christopher from USA

Not much from what I have herd they are doing quite well

Christopher from United Kingdom

I'm not sure

Christopher from USA

Economics

Cindy from USA

That the world is rapidly changing and whether good or bad that change is inevitable and perhaps there is something that they can contribute to ease the suffering in the world.

Cliff from USA

Nothing

Clint Beedy from USA

How to respect women more.

Col from Australia

I think that self determination should be provided. This will allow Aboriginal people to regain their independance and above all dignity.

Connie from USA

Science

Craig Coussins from United Kingdom

In order to protect what is left aboriginal people should take charge of their own lives and be more vociferous in protection of the environment. Extend reservations into National parks where visitors can come I a controlled manner to learn about Australian nature and Australian landscape. Open government funded centres of understanding and like any other environmental group become far more political but in a way that teaches and does not tell what it is that you need. Western politicians are very good at marketing. Learn from that as one example

Crystal from USA

Probably what "not" to do!

Anonymous

Hygiene.

Anonymous

Different pieces of many cultures can mix into ours( this is not meant to sound offensive) (just trying to come up with a decent answer)

Dan Lombardo from USA

The only thing anyone could learn from Western society is the capitalistic market. Understanding that their lifestyle is one of extreme variation as compared to ours and can be viewed as a commodity for tourism and artifacts. Many people are trying to return to those natural roots and stressing the genuine appeal of Aboriginal culture would help boost revenues and sustainability.

Anonymous from Canada

How to capitalize on selling their unique items direct to the public through the internet.

Daniel Johnson from USA

That bigger isn't better and a house of cards no matter how tall is destined to crumble.

Daniel Niles from United Arab Emirates

How to use the internet so they can find whatever they need or want to learn individually or collectively.

Daniel from Germany

The value of education

Dave from Australia

Modernisation

Anonymous

Fight for your rights get a education and do not ever stop moving forward

David from United Kingdom

I don't think Western society can teach anything worthwhile to the Aboriginal people. Things like moral values/honesty/respect for others and the environment are the only things worth learning which means the Western society is a non starter.

David from United Kingdom

Post-Enlightenment values of reason and scientific method

David from United Kingdom

That they could use some of the land they hold to produce solar electricity on a large scale. even in the middle on no where they could use it to desalinate the ground waters of over drained areas while producing hydrogen for fuel in cars and other transport. Its the oil of the future with out the moral issues.

Anonymous from USA

We have the ability to help them attain better health so we must find the part of each culture that allows the bridge of help

Anonymous

Tough question. Survival in our modern world that has been forced on them. Help with problems brought on by this like addiction to alcohol etc.

Derek from Canada

The most important thing aboriginal communities could learn from western societies is environmental law to combat big industry and unfortunately local and federal governments.

Des Holmes from United Kingdom

How to deal with drug and alcohol related issue - western society isn't perfect but has had more experience than Aboriginal people

Anonymous

Take what is good from Western Society and leave the rest (most) of it.

Anonymous from Kazakhstan

Electronic music production tools.

Doug from USA

Help in Truth

Douglas from USA

Not quite sure

Dustin from USA

People think we have it all right but I think they have nothing to learn from us it is all us learning from them.

Ed Huntley from USA

Unsure

Ed Olson from USA

How to protect what is valuable

Eddy from Australia

Also listen to and try to understand various cultures and beliefs.

Eduardo from Ecuador

Perhaps there is nothing to be learned. They live in harmony with nature and western society does not.

Eric from Canada

Arts

Eric from USA

Farming techniques

Eric Westman from USA

That most of us who are awakened live in peace while those who are in the "dream of society" (The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Louise) need our help and understanding until they to awaken.

Erica from USA

Western people are always moving forward. Aboriginal people could potentially embrace positive change.

Anonymous

They could learn about it but I think they know how to live better than western society

Ewoud from Netherlands Antilles

NOT live in the western hurry. Just do what you have to do.

Fred Ashplant from USA

The importance of education.

Fred from Netherlands

Respect your own culture keep it alive but do not forget to enjoy the developments of the world

Anonymous from Brazil

I don't think they need to learn anything from us westerns

Galen Wood from USA

Modernity

Gary Siegle from USA

There are those like myself that seek to understand the richness and beauty of others through whatever appropriate means necessary; so as to teach us because we are (and should be) as children who want to learn from our ancestors.

Glen Bzdel from Canada

Everyone is important no matter the color of your skin. Everyone has something to contribute

Gonzalo Gregori from China (pr)

Advantages of new communication technologies

Graham Monteith from USA

Modern technology.

Greg from USA

Aboriginal people could learn and take away anything that may make their life easier from the Western society as long as it doesn't damage their own culture that would be a big plus.

Guido Cifali from Australia

Not to imitate any of the bad traits of western society

Hans from Netherlands

Is there a reverse....? don t think so.

Harry from USA

Culture

Helen from Ireland

Self and community empowerment recognising their own strengths and value in their own country and in the world - as a result of their suffering and all the injustices against them by western society.

Howard Williamson from USA

That change is inevitable and adaptation is necessary - but to never give up the original values beliefs and practices.

Anonymous

Educating their youth

Hugo from United Kingdom

Diversity

Ian from Canada

Other methods for communication health care and unfortunately how not to deal well with other cultures!

Isabelle from France

Nothing

Israel from Spain

They had been living thousands of years without our help or knowledge but in this "global society" they must learn how to use new technologies specially internet to make force against their "australian governments" and to promote and protect their rights as human beings older than us...

J from Australia

What society mistakes not to make.

Anonymous

How science can contribute to conservation and preservation efforts.

Anonymous

Industrialization

James from USA

That Western culture essentially treats everything as a commodity--ignore this at your own peril.

Anonymous

Some simply ways to prevent illness/infection from spreading

James Miller from USA

That evolution isn't always the best thing.

Jason from Canada

How to send a text message.

Jeff from USA

That through their own heritage they(aboriginal people) are richer than most people will ever be.

Jeff from USA

Greed/nothing

Jenelle from USA

Culture in return.

Anonymous

Work mentality

Jeremy from USA

I think the most important thing that could be learned form western society would be the dynamic mind frame that most westerners have. The way new technologies and ideas are embraced and rebuilt upon to serve there individual needs. The flexibility of the mind is powerful thing and if used wisely will lead any people to( or back) to greatness.

Anonymous

The mixing of culture and socialization outside of ethnic bounds.

Jeshurun from USA

I value diverse cultures and I hate to see a way of life change drastically into something identical to the norm. I think the most important thing they can learn are ways to sustain their knowledge and rich culture in a world that is networking more and more.

Anonymous

Although their tradtions have not been around as long they still carry traditions in their culture

Joan from USA

Kindness helping others and Christ.

Joe from USA

We aren't all idiots.

Johan Pot from Netherlands

That it's better to be very careful in trusting people from "the West".

Anonymous

The aboriginal people could accept the merging of the didgeridoos sounds with the 21st century music

Anonymous

Incorporating diversity into their culture

John from USA

Their customs

Jorge Alberto from Mexico

They could learn modern techniques of agriculture in combination with the different knowledge of centuries may be the western society is dangerous for them

Josh Snyder from USA

Not much

Judith from USA

Our music art history.

Julio Peña from Paraguay

Techniques

Justin Castillo from USA

Our country's slavery history

Karl from USA

How to use computers

Katarina from Serbia

Nothing they already know everything they need to know.

Kathleen Byham from USA

That there are many of us who appreciate their work creativity and customs. Nowadays almost all cultures have become Westernized to a certain degree and I think some Western business practices and technology may have benefited the sales of native Aboriginal products.

Kevin D Babiuk from USA

Nothing. If Society embraced Aboriginal/Native American or any earlier Earth Based Spiritual paths the world would be a better place.

Anonymous

No opinion.

Kim from USA

Our love for them

Kyle from USA

Tolerance. And I don't mean because Western society exudes tolerance...but because tolerance is required to deal with Western society. Learn from the foibles of others.

Laura from USA

Hmmmm-tough question.

Anonymous from Canada

I'm not sure but I think western society has a lot to learn from Aboriginal people.

Levi from USA

Perhaps some forms of modern medicine.

Anonymous

Accepting people

Lourenco from Brazil

I would not say learn! I would say that they can share and benefit from our medical knowledge.

Anonymous from Argentina

Nothing to learn.

Luis from Portugal

Unfortunately I don't know enough to give an informed opinion but I guess they are still very much attached with a tribal way of life and they should think more like a society and organize themselves to protect themselves

Manuel from China (pr)

Hard to say... Perhaps using internet to spread their culture would be an important tool.

Marc from USA

Read and study the history and economic systems of Western society.

Anonymous

Not sure

Mario Bortoli from Italy

Be careful about it!

Mark Galvin from USA

Add science to their environmental connection.

Mark Leipfert from USA

Utilizeing technology to improve quality of life.

Mark from USA

Western industry

Mateus Zica from Brazil

Science

Matias from Argentina

Technology development.

Anonymous

Healthcare education and conservation

Maximiliano from Argentina

Nothing!! how to use facebook! hahaha

Michael from USA

How to cope in a global society.

Anonymous from USA

Nothing because they have done their own thing for thousands of years and survived.

Mike from Netherlands

Try to understand the mind set of people from other cultures.

Mike from United Kingdom

Not everyone is out to exploit them.

Mike from USA

Very little

Mike from USA

Learn from our mistakes

Nathaniel Curtis from USA

Not sure. The varieties of song and story structure?

Neil from Australia

How not to treat the environment.

Neil Gee from USA

There are millions of rude crude and awful westerners out there but some aren't bad!

Nicholas Bottle from United Kingdom

Nothing they are ok as they are.

Anonymous from USA

Education in general

Omar L. De La Tejera from Mexico

The interest of other cultures on theirs and the importance of it on "global civilization" (not globalized civilization) where civilization is: the respect of a world's citizen must have for the planet

Paleki Phaphapeuneua from Canada

To share compassion for people that do not have an understanding of others cultures or belief systems.

Patricia from USA

Technology

Patrick from USA

How to preserve and protect their culture

Patrick from Australia

Early education

Patrick from USA

If aboriginal culture could keep the respect for life and nature which I think they would I believe the thing would be technology. western society is based on control an inflated importance on materialism but it does have the capacity to produce wonderful and efficient technology that helps improve the life's of everyone and leaves little to no detriment to the environment.

Pedro from Spain

How to protect themselves and their land from western society.

Peter Kraan from South Africa

Technology

Anonymous from United Kingdom

Nothing they are in many ways better than us (less damaging more respectful better communities) we need to stop being ethnocentric by saying how we can improve.

Petri from Finland

Using of better tools

Piergiorgio Fiorucci from Italy

What they risk to live...the double face coin

Anonymous from Australia

Judge the quite majority not the negative minority. Most Western People love the heritage of the aboriginal culture.

Richard from USA

Take what is spiritual and of value in Western culture. without sinking into materialism.

Richard from United Kingdom

Modern ecology techniques for sustainable lifestyles.

Anonymous

What not to do mother earth

Rob from USA

Not sure-probably how to use science to support and protect traditional ways.

Anonymous

Work ethic

Robbie Orth from USA

They never needed our advise for thousand of years

Anonymous

Possibly some medical information and not to trust or turn your back to Westerners or you might get robbed or stabbed.

Roberto Mojica from Puerto Rico

Music knowledge

Rod from USA

What not to do to nature

Anonymous from USA

Technology

Rose from USA

How not to live in harmony with nature.

Rual from USA

Not mush

Ruben Dewulf from Belgium

Learning a job in the society for those who live in it

Anonymous

I think psychoanalysis is the most valuable tool for a modern aboriginal society to explain the modern ego and why it is in such a fallen state globally and that they don't need to fall into the Western paradigm. Other than that aboriginal roots are grounded in more truth than anything the West can offer.

Safaa from USA

The importance of assimilating at least to the extent of being able to help their people with legal and political issues.

Sam from United Kingdom

Not a lot

Sergio from Colombia

Nothing really...

Shawn from USA

Marketing

Stefan from USA

Aspects of cities (although they don't really need to with the current population size)

Anonymous from Germany

No idea

Steffen from Germany

Nothing

Steve from USA

What not to do

Stewart from USA

I'm not that impressed with our "western" society I doubt the Aboriginal peoples need to learn greed corruption selfishness or materialism. Maybe the flow of ideas should be one way only.

Susan from USA

Can't think of anything.

Anonymous

Our culture.

Telfair Leimbach from USA

Technology (which can be used to preserve cultural identity and meaning).

Tex from USA

They may have already learned to limit participation with the "developed" world

Thomas from USA

Not much

Thomas from Germany

Education is the key for creating a better world

Anonymous from USA

Using the inevitable encroachment of technology to spread their traditions/history with the rest of the world

Anonymous from Australia

Tom maintain better health

Anonymous from USA

How to survive the modern world

Timothy Gatehouse from Us Minor Outlying Islands

Education in general. Schools likely to be fairly hard to reach considering. I think that anyone should have the opportunity to learn but it's always a choice.

Todd from Australia

Economic independence

Anonymous

Not sure

Anonymous

..um never pay attention to western tuning:)

Tom from United Kingdom

Having australian roots I know of the great deal of sadness and regret with regard to the "lost generation". This generation (as I understand it) has lost a lot of their cultural identity and struggle to fit in with western and aboriginal cultures. This particular generation could hopefully learn that the western culture that produced this scenario has on the whole changed their perspective. Furthermore this perceived change in attitude will help a more healthy integration been the aboriginal people and the western society. To sum up; there is a great deal of fear regarding this issue if both sides can learn from this it ensures a peaceful productive future.

Tony Kubiak from USA

While resisting paranoia and suspicion to make sure their own interests are being protected within the political and economic systems of the West.

Tony Miller from USA

That progression is actually regression. Stick with what feels right and reject the rest. Western folk are lazier than the Aboriginal tribes folk.

Vance Blow from USA

What not to do

Anonymous

That their way of life is better

Anonymous

How to manage the negative impacts of our Western lifestyle.

Anonymous

The Aboriginal people could also learn about the Western musical culture allow for a more engaging and engaged exchange of musical creation and expression.